Ensemble Studios dead

[Cobra]

News just in, Microsoft has decided to close down Ensemble Studios.

The following is from the website of Ensemble Studios

The best 12 years

We are happy that Ensemble got to spend as much time as we did entertaining our fans over the last 12 years, and we would not be where we are without such a great bunch of people standing behind us.  For what it is worth we thank you.  As we move into the future we will continue to support the Age of Empires and Halo Wars fans and franchises and make sure that they are supported fairly.

I am incredibly proud our team here at Ensemble and of the time we have spent making games for you.  It has been some of the best years we have had.

[Sirgin]

That was expected.

I didn't know the news wasn't official yet until now, I thought the decision had already been made when TJ did his blog post about it.

Still sad news though

[phoenix1967]

Yeah. I read about it on kotaku.com.

I guess that after Halo Wars is done, that the team may be able to find work in other areas of MS, though.

[Cobra]

I think this is pretty sad. I really enjoyed Age of Mythology.
From what I heard prior to their closure they even had ideas of a Halo MMORPG.

[Sirgin]

I think this is pretty sad. I really enjoyed Age of Mythology.
From what I heard prior to their closure they even had ideas of a Halo MMORPG.

Me too. Age of Mythology was my favorite game of the series, followed by part 2 and 3.

I wonder what (new) studio will make Age of Empires 4...hopefully the franchise won't be butchered completely. I'm pretty sure there will be an Age of Empires 4 though, Microsoft will surely want new games with that famous name.